Annual Lenten Pilgrimage
Strengthening Faith through Catholic Tradition
since 2012
Miscellaneous Information
Here’s an overview of its origins, meaning, and practices:
Origins
The devotion began in 19th-century France, inspired primarily by Sr. Mary of St. Peter (1816–1848), a Carmelite nun in Tours. She reported that Jesus revealed to her the importance of honoring His Holy Face to make reparation for sins against the first three Commandments:
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Blasphemies against the Holy Name of God,
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Profanation of Sundays and holy days,
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Indifference and unbelief.
Her confessor, Venerable Leo Dupont (known as the “Holy Man of Tours”), helped spread the devotion. He kept an image of the Holy Face (derived from the Veil of Veronica) in his home, where many healings were said to occur as he prayed before a lamp burning in honor of the Face of Jesus.
Later, St. Thérèse of Lisieux was also deeply devoted to the Holy Face, taking the religious name Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face.
Spiritual Meaning
The Holy Face devotion focuses on:
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Contemplating the suffering countenance of Christ during His Passion, especially as a symbol of divine love wounded by human sin.
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Repairing offenses committed against God through acts of reparation and love.
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Seeing Christ’s image in others, cultivating compassion and humility.
The Face of Jesus is viewed as a reflection of the Incarnation—God made visible in Christ—and a sign of the infinite love and mercy of God.
Key Practices
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Prayers of Reparation – Especially the Golden Arrow Prayer, revealed to Sr. Mary of St. Peter:
“May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and ineffable Name of God be forever praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.”
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Chaplet of the Holy Face – A special, masculine, rosary-like devotion praying for the triumph of the Church and the conversion of sinners. It's main prayer is a prayer of exorcism: "May God arise and let his enemies be scattered, and all that hate Him flee from before his Face".
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Feast of the Holy Face – Celebrated on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday), as instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1958.
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Images of the Holy Face – Often based on the Veil of Veronica or the Shroud of Turin. Catholics venerate these not as mere pictures, but as reminders of Christ’s real suffering and presence.
Purpose
The devotion aims to:
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Console Jesus for the outrages He receives,
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Make reparation for sin, especially sins against the first three Commandments,
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Deepen love for Christ’s Passion,
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Encourage holiness through seeing and reflecting His image.
What is the Holy Face Devotion?
For Catholics, keeping holy the Lord's day—typically Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection—involves both spiritual and practical commitments rooted in Church teaching and tradition. This practice stems from the Third Commandment: "Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day." Here's a concise guide based on Catholic principles:
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Attend Mass: The cornerstone of keeping Sunday holy is participating in the Holy Mass. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2177-2183) emphasizes that Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation unless excused for serious reasons (e.g., illness or caring for infants). Mass is a time to worship, receive the Eucharist, and renew your faith.
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Rest from Work: The Lord's day is meant for rest, reflecting God’s rest on the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:2-3). Catholics are encouraged to avoid unnecessary work or activities that hinder spiritual reflection. The CCC notes that servile work (labor-intensive or non-essential tasks) should be avoided unless necessary for essential duties (e.g., healthcare, emergency services).
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Prayer and Reflection: Dedicate time to personal or family prayer, such as the Rosary, Scripture reading, or other devotions. Reflecting on the Gospels or engaging in spiritual reading can deepen your connection to God.
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Acts of Charity and Mercy: Use the day to perform works of mercy, such as visiting the sick, helping the poor, or spending time with family and friends to foster love and community, which honors God’s command to love one another.
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Avoid Materialism and Distractions: Limit activities that detract from the day’s sacredness, like excessive shopping, entertainment, or secular pursuits that overshadow worship and rest.
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Family and Community: Spend quality time with family or your parish community, reinforcing the communal aspect of faith. Shared meals, conversations, or attending parish events can sanctify the day.
The Church teaches that keeping Sunday holy renews your relationship with God and prepares you for the week ahead. If you’re unable to attend Mass due to extraordinary circumstances, you might watch a livestreamed Mass or spend time in prayer, though this doesn’t fulfill the obligation unless dispensed by a priest.
For further guidance, consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2168-2195) or speak with your parish priest. If you have specific circumstances or questions (e.g., work conflicts or local practices), feel free to share, and I can tailor the response further!
Building the Kingship of Christ
—modified from Google AI 2025
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
And you should love your neighbor as yourself.”
To build up the Kingship of Christ as a Catholic you must recognize Christ as King, then engage in activities like: regular prayer, attending Mass, receiving sacraments, actively participating in your parish community, performing acts of charity, sharing your faith with others, studying scripture, serving in a ministry, and living a life of virtue by following the teachings of Jesus; essentially, integrating your faith into your daily life through actions that reflect your love of God and acknowledgment of Christ as King through love and compassion towards others.
Key aspects of building the Kingdom of Christ:
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Spiritual practices:
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Love God and acknowledge Christ as King
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Daily prayer (including the rosary, pray before meals even in public using the sign of the cross, morning/evening prayers), novenas
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Regular confession
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Studying scripture (from a Catholic Bible)
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Eucharistic adoration
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Fasting during Lent, for Ember/Rogation Days, meatless Fridays
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Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and other devotions
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Parish involvement:
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Attending Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation
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Participating in parish ministries (e.g., teaching catechism, helping with outreach programs, assisting with liturgy)
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Joining/starting a bible study group or other Catholic faith-sharing groups
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Volunteering at church events
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Participating in a pilgrimage
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Acts of charity:
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Donating to charitable causes
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Offering prayers for family, friends, and strangers
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Visiting the sick or elderly; serving meals at a soup kitchen
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Providing support to those in need within your community
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Sharing your faith:
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Participate in community/society events and vote for Catholic values
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Engaging in conversations about faith with others
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Inviting friends and family to church
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Participating in evangelization efforts
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Learning apologetics—how to defend your faith
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Living a virtuous life is living the Great Commandment:
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Practicing forgiveness
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Showing kindness and compassion
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Promoting justice and peace
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Being a positive role model for others
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Practicing humility and dressing modestly
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Below is from Daniel Payne, Catholic News Agency Staff, November 24, 2024.
When the feast of Christ the King was established, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops notes on its website, “In Mexico, Russia, and some parts of Europe, militantly secularistic regimes threatened not just the Catholic Church and its faithful but civilization itself.”
Pope Pius XI argued that the “manifold evils in the world were due to the fact that the majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives” and that “as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations.”
“If we ordain that the whole Catholic world shall revere Christ as king,” the pope wrote, “we shall minister to the need of the present day and at the same time provide an excellent remedy for the plague which now infects society.
“The Kingship of Christ starts within you and spreads socially.”
Now on the 100th anniversary of instituting the Feast of Christ the King by Pope Pius XI, the statement then of world affairs seems as revelent today as when it was made in the year 1925.
We must renew our vigor to have the mind, body, and soul to live out God's Will for the Kingship of Christ, working first in our own hearts, then our families, our communities, and our nation.
May God reward you richly for your presence here today!
--From the Steering Committee of the 13th Annual Lenten Pilgrimage, March 15, 2025
Additional Reading
Centenial Anniversary of the Feast of Christ the King
Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King with the encyclical Quas Primas on December 11, 1925:
“His empire includes not only Catholic nations, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith; so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ. Nor is there any difference in this matter between the individual and the family or the State; for all men, whether collectively or individually, are under the dominion of Christ. In him is the salvation of the individual, in him is the salvation of society. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved. If, therefore, the rulers of nations wish to preserve their authority, to promote and increase the prosperity of their countries, they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ. With God and Jesus Christ excluded from political life, with authority derived not from God but from man, the very basis of that authority has been taken away. The result is that human society is tottering to its fall, because it no longer has a secure and solid foundation. Men will sheathe their swords and lay down their arms when all freely acknowledge and obey the authority of Christ, and every tongue confesses that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.”
The feast emphasizes the true kingship of Christ after the upheavals resulting from the First World War and the end of all four major monarchies in Europe. It was meant to respond to the rise of atheism and secularization. In November 1926, Pope Pius XI gave his direct assent for the priest of a parish in Mount Lookout, Cincinnati, to establish the first church dedicated to Christ under the title of King. The Traditional Latin Mass was offered at St. Martha’s parish in Sarasota from 1995-2009. After the Motu Proprio of Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Dewane invited the FSSP to the diocese of Venice in 2007, and dedicated our chapel on April 19th, 2009, in honor of Christ the King. It was then established as a personal parish on January 11, 2017. Viva Cristo Rey!
Taken from the parish bulletin of Christ the King Catholic Church (FSSP), Saratoga, Florida 10/26/25